Looking for a big bounce back
Uconn a slim favorite against FCS power Holy Cross in home opener as football returns to Rentschler Field
So, the long-awaited return of Uconn football did not go as planned.
Last Saturday in Uconn’s first game since 2019, the Huskies were outplayed in nearly every facet of the 45-0 loss at Fresno State. With their attention turned to Holy Cross, an FCS program, on Saturday (noon, CBS Sports Network), the Huskies (0-1) look to prove to fans that 2021 will not be just another rerun of 2019.
“None of our heads are down, that’s for sure,” Uconn senior safety Diamond Harrell said. “All our heads are high. We know what we’ve got to do. First game, that’s the first game and that’s behind us, that’s in the past. Second game, you’ve got to go out there and do what you’ve got to do. Lock in, and come out with the dub. We’re not here to lose anymore. We’re here to win and come out and be 12-1, try to get to that bowl game.
“But we’ve got to worry about
Holy Cross first.”
Unlike Uconn, Holy Cross (0-0) had a truncated break after playing its 2020 season in the spring of 2021. The Crusaders went 3-1, won the Patriot League title and lost to North Dakota State in the first round of the FCS playoffs in April.
Holy Cross was picked as a preseason favorite to repeat as league champion. Although the Huskies are only 2 ½-point favorites, Crusaders coach Robert Chesney sees a dangerous team in Storrs.
“The quarterback is very capable,” Chesney said of sophomore Jack Zergiotis. “[Running back] Kevin Mensah is obviously phenomenal, and then you get to Cam Ross at the receiver position, and he’s electric. Those three guys in particular are enough with the run game and the pass game, and
then a quarterback that can pull it and run it if he has to as well, with giant offensive linemen and great
tight ends. There’s a lot that you’re nervous about.”
He also knows that teams fresh off of blowout losses are often hungry for redemption.
“I think you make huge strides from week one to week two,
period,” Chesney said. “But I think coming off of a game like that, there’s going to be that same thing for them, where they feel like they got exposed in a place or two and they’re going to shore that weakness up.”
The basics
Time: 12 p.m. ET.
Venue: Pratt and Whitney Field at Rentschler Stadium, East Hartford
Last meeting: Uconn 27, Holy Cross 20 (2017); Holy Cross is 19-9 all time against Uconn
The line: Uconn -2.5.
Last year: Holy Cross (3-3); Uconn (did not play in 2020, 2-10 in 2019).
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: Uconn IMG Radio Network (Mike Crispino, Wayne Norman and Adam Giardano) — 97.9 ESPN Hartford.
Livestream: Information can be found at the CBS Sports website.
Holy Cross players to watch
Senior defensive lineman Benton Whitley is a two-time All-patriot League selection and totaled 12 tackles and two sacks in four games for the Crusaders in the spring. The 6-foot-4 Massachusetts native has 10 career sacks. Junior linebacker Jacob Dobbs, a two-time All-patriot League honoree, has 134 career tackles, seven sacks and four interceptions. Senior defensive back Jacob Smith picked off three passes in four games last season, and junior Ayir Asante caught 48 passes for 697 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman in 2019.
The tale of the tape
Uconn’s offense: Uconn head coach Randy Edsall made it clear Sunday that he doesn’t have any plans to make wholesale changes to Uconn’s offensive strategy. Expect a commitment to establishing the run early and working in Zergiotis and the passing game. But if Mensah and company can’t find open running lanes, the offense could clog up as it did against Fresno State.
Uconn’s defense: The Huskies struggled to stop Fresno State from picking up yards and touchdown on big plays, but Bulldogs quarterback Jake Haener is one of the most efficient passers in the country, and his wide receiver corps is top notch, too. Playing a FCS offense will provide Uconn’s defense to reset, focus on limiting big plays and wrapping up tackles. “We’ve been at that stage,” Harrell said. “We’ve just got to slow it down, and take each play one at a time and just go out there and do what you’ve got to do.”
Holy Cross’ offense: Chesney said the Crusaders could play two quarterbacks against Uconn: “All of them are very capable. I think that for us, we’re trying to strike the right balance,” he said. Sophomore Matthew Sluka, who rushed for 234 yards and four touchdowns in 2020, and classmate Marco Siderman, who played in one game last year, are both expected to see the field. The Crusaders are a run-heavy team, and rushed for nearly 200 yards per game last season.
Holy Cross’ defense: The Crusaders held opponents to 17 points per game in the spring but allowed the second-most passing yards in the Patriot League last spring at 226.5 per game. It could be a good opportunity for Zergiotis to show off his strong arm and gain some confidence.
Key matchup: Uconn’s run game vs. Holy Cross’ defense.
The Huskies’ ground game averaged just 1.1 yards per carry against Fresno State and picked up just three first downs via runs. For Uconn’s offense to be effective, the offensive line needs to create holes and the likes of Mensah, Miami transfer Robert Burns and freshman Nate Carter need to capitalize.
“We’ve got to come off the ball and just execute,” said Burns. “We’ve got to play Uconn football and just be persistent with it.”
Uconn player to watch: Travis Jones. The junior defensive lineman is one of college football’s premier athletes with some thinking he has a future in the NFL. He should be a force against a FCS offensive line.
About Holy Cross’ coach: Now in his fourth season at Holy Cross, Chesney has led the Crusaders to back-to-back conference titles. He previously coached at Division II Assumption and Division III Salve Regina.
About Holy Cross’ mascot: Crusader.
Famous Holy Cross alumni: Dr. Anthony Fauci, Clarence Thomas, Bob Cousy, J.D. Power, Bill Simmons, Chris Matthews.